Bible Commentaries
Amos 6

Verse 1

'Woe. The second woe. See Amos 5:18 . them: i.e. the nobles of Judah, in comparison with the nobles of Israel (in Samaria) its the next clause. at ease = careless, secure, or easy-going.

trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69 . Here Part. = them that confide.

which are named = [the men of] men. Compare Numbers 1:17

chief of the nations: i.e.

Israel. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:5 ). App-92 ,

the house of Israel : i.e. the Northern Kingdom = the People of Israel.

came. Supply the Ellipsis: "came [for judgment and justice]", as shown by the rest of this member ("y1").

Verse 2

Pass = Pass over: i. e, the Euphrates. Compare Jeremiah 2:10 . unto Calneh. The sequence of these cities is logical rather than geographical.

Calneh. On the Tigris. Built by Nimrod (Genesis 10:10 ). Called Calno (Isaiah 10:9 ); Canneh (Ezekiel 27:23 ).

see = consider [its fate]. So in the next two clauses.

Hamath. On the north. Now called Hama , on the Orontes, north of Damascus. Reference to Pent (Genesis 10:18 . Numbers 34:7 , Numbers 34:8 ) Compare Amos 6:14 App-92

Gath. Now Tell es Safi , in the south. See 1 Samuel 5:8 .

be they better : i.e. these nobles and chief men.

these kingdoms: which have been overthrown.

or their border = or [is] their border or boundary greater? &c. your: i.e. the borders of Israel and Judah. Supply the logical Ellipsis : "[yet I overthrew them; how much more shall I judge you! ]".

Verse 3

put = thrust.

the evil day = the day of calamity. Hebrew. ra'a . App-44 . Compare Amos 3:6 ; Amos 5:13 ; Amos 5:9 . Amos 5:10

seat or throne

Verse 5

chant = break out [in song]. Hebrew. parat. Occurs only here.

instruments of music = instruments of song

like David = as David did

Verse 6

wine. Hebrew. yayin . App-27 .

bowls = sacred bowls; not in goblets.

are not greived = do not afflict themselves

affliction = breach: i.e. the breach of the two kingdoms (1 Kings 12:0 ). Compare Isaiah 30:26 . Jeremiah 6:14 .

Joseph. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for the whole of the ten tribes. A reference to the Patriarch, by application.

Verse 8

The Lord God. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. App-4 . See note on Amos 1:8 .

sworn, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 22:16 ) Compare Jeremiah 51:14 .

By Himself = by His soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

saith the LORD the God of Hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah,

the God of Hosts. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

God . Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

I abhor. Hebrew. taab , a Homonym , with two meanings. Here, to abhor. In Psalms 119:20 , Psalms 119:40 , Psalms 119:174 , to desire or long for.

excellency. Figure of speech Ampliatio . It was once such (Compare Amos 8:7 . Psalms 47:4 .Ezekiel 24:21; Ezekiel 24:21 ), but is now no longer so.

all that is therein = the fulness thereof

Verse 9

remain : survive after the seige.

men. Plural of 'enosh App-14 .

die : by pestilence

Verse 10

a man's uncle = a relative

him i.e. the corpse burneth. See note on Amos 4:10 . Here, and 1 Samuel 31:12 are the only two places where burning corpses is mentioned, &c. Both are exceptional cases, but it was the common practice of the Horites (Genesis 14:6 ; Deuteronomy 2:12 , Deuteronomy 2:22 ) whose remains were found in the excavations at Gezer. See note on 1 Kings 9:15-17 .

bones; i.e. one reduced to a mere skeleton. Compare Job 7:15 ; Job 19:20 .

him that is, &c. i.e. the survivor.

by the sides of = in the midst of, or hinder part.

any: i.e. any alive or dead.

make mention of = call upon, or invoke. Compare Isaiah 26:13 ; Isaiah 49:1 ; Isaiah 62:6 .

Verse 11

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 12

Shall horses . . ? will . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . there or, supply "[the seal". for. Supply "[with equal madness]".

hemlock. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:18 , same word as `wormwood"). App-92 .

Verse 13

horns =. powers. "Horns" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the power put forth by them.

Verse 14

I will raise up, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:49 ). they shall afflict you. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 3:9 ; Deuteronomy 26:7 ).

from . . . unto : i.e. through the length and breadth of the land.

Hemath. Same as Hamath (Amos 6:2 ), in the north. the river. Hebrew nahal = torrent, or wady.

the wilderness. Hebrew ha ' arabah = the 'Arabah: i.e. the plain, south of Judah. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 1:1 , &c.)